Sudan says seizes rebel stronghold in border state

KHARTOUM Nov 3 (Reuters) - Sudan said on Thursday its armed
forces had seized the rebel stronghold of Kurmuk in Blue Nile
border state after two months of fighting.

"Our troops entered the town of Kurmuk, expelled the
insurgents and killed and wounded many (of them) and they are
now cleansing the town," the Sudanese defence ministry said on
its website.

Kurmuk has been the main stronghold of SPLM-North rebels
since fighting broke out with the army in Blue Nile state
bordering South Sudan in September. Violence had started in the
border state of South Kordofan in June.

The SPLM-N could not immediately be reached for comment.
(Reporting by Ulf Laessing and Khalid Abdelaziz)